January's Sparrow

Born in Lansing, Michigan in 1944, Patricia Polacco spent her early years in Williamston and then on her grandparents’ farm in Union City, Michigan. She lived on the farm with her mother and grandparents until 1949, a time she remembers as magical, with her Babushka (grandmother) and other grandparents being inspirational figures in her life.

Her parents divorced when she was three, and she spent school years with her mother and summers with her father, cherishing the relationships she had with her grandparents in both households. These relationships deeply influenced her life and work, often depicting young characters interacting with the elderly.

In 1949, her family moved to Coral Gables, Florida, and later to Oakland, California, where she lived in the diverse Rockridge District. There, she met her best friend, Stewart Grinnell Washington. As a student, Polacco struggled with reading and math, eventually being diagnosed with dyslexia at fourteen. With the help of a teacher, she overcame her learning disability and went on to excel in school.

She earned a degree in Fine Art, followed by a graduate degree and a Ph.D. in Art History. For a time, she restored ancient pieces of art for museums. She became the mother of two children, Steven and Traci, and devoted herself to their upbringing.

Polacco began writing children’s books at the age of 41, drawing on her artistic talents and the storytelling traditions of her Ukrainian, Russian, and Irish heritage. She emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s inner voice and imagination, encouraging aspiring writers to turn off electronic screens and embrace the power of storytelling.

Now residing in Union City, she intends to open her home and community for writing seminars, storytelling festivals, literature conferences, and events celebrating children’s literature.

Born Patricia Ann Barber, she grew up in both California and Michigan. Her fondest memories are of listening to stories told by her family members. She has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.

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